Help! Panicked About Day Care

I completely understand your cold feet! With two weeks left before I was due to go back to work from maternity leave, I freaked out and quit my job. It was a totally emotional decision, but it worked out for the best. I had two young kids, and I rationalized that daycare for two would just be so expensive that it would not be worth the stress of having both parents work full time. And I have absolutely loved this last year. However, we wouldn't have been able to do this after our first was born. At that time, we were living in St. Paul and used A Child's View for our son, on Marshall just west of Snelling. It was a small center (a remodeled home for just infants and toddlers) and Julie was his primary provider there. Wonderful care all around. They were also very flexible with our schedule - check them out. You definitely don't want to ignore your second guessing. Good Luck!

L.

As a former daycare mom, I can relate to having a messy kitchen - can't all of us moms? Would you rather she be spending time cleaning that kitchen spic and span or spending time with the kids? Ideally it's both, but we know that can't always happen. Make sure she's licensed, check with the licensing agency to see if there have been any issues, get names and phone numbers of other parents so you can keep in touch with them (specifically with parents of kids who can talk, and ask them to keep you posted on things since your baby can't talk yet). I've seen some very neat homes but not been impressed with the daycare provider. Go with your instinct on how she interacts with the kids more than on her house. There are some awesome home daycare moms out there!

I agree, go with your gut! One idea to consider as an alternative is to hire a nanny (college student or professional) for the price you'd be paying to send your daughter to this daycare. This way, your daughter can stay home and play with her own stuff in familiar surroundings. Some nannies will also double duty and do light housework and cleaning too.

You can start looking now, by posting notices through local colleges, or community colleges and schools that certify for early childhood education. With school starting up in a week or so, and some already in session, you'll probably have good success finding someone looking for work. If schedules because they're students are an issue, you might be able to work out a deal where two students split the duty and pay.

I know Normandale and the University of St. Thomas both will post private nanny positions on their employment boards and on their on-line student employment/internship web pages.

You might also want to check with Nanny services too, but these might be more costly. I know a few years back when I needed daycare, I found that the nannies are only slightly more than daycare centers or home care. So it's something to consider.

Good luck

I agree with the previous poster. If you have any doubts look for a new daycare. You need to be comfortable and not worry about the kind of place and care your child is getting. To me having 10 kids seems like a lot. Try to find a daycare that has fewer kids. Sorry I have no recommendations for your area but check out this website: http://licensinglookup.dhs.state.mn.us/ You can find licensed daycares in your area.

Go by your instinct. It is there for a purpose.
Do a major cutback for awhile and stay home.
You are the mother and no one will love her like you do. Before you know it she will be grown. It happens in a flash.
Doesn't seem so at the time.
Pray for the right decision before you make a move. Your
inner self will guide you.
Best of luck to you.
And another thing, the messy provider may spend more time with the chrildren than the dishes. It is very hard to concentrate on both all day.
All of the best to you and your freaking adorable angle!

If you don't feel completely comfortable with the child care arrangement don't bring your child there!!! You will be miserable when you go back to work wondering if your baby is ok and getting enough attention. I interviewed dozens of home daycares and dozens of centers until I found one that felt right and I knew it right away. I believe mothers intuition will tell you if that is the right place for your child. Ten to one ratio is legal but that is alot of kids to watch.

I have my little guy in an infant/toddler only daycare so I don't have to worry about bigger kids hurting him and I know that the bigger kids will not be taking up all the attention from my baby. Infant/Toddler daycares only go up to 2.5 years and have a much lower ratio, 4 or 5 children to 1 adult. Contact your county and ask about daycares that are infant/toddler only in your area, it might help. I have come to the conclusion that I will be poor while my children are little because daycare is expensive, (more than my house payment) but I am even more wary about the cheapest daycare option, why do they charge less? $50-$100 bucks extra per month might worth your sanity. Childcare is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. Good luck!